Atlanta 92, New York 82 · State Farm Arena · Dream lead series 1-0

The Dream lost their leading scorer in the first half and won anyway — by turning a three-point halftime deficit into a 14-point lead in one ten-minute burst. Jordin Canada scored 20 of her 25 points after the break and added five steals as Atlanta opened the semifinals with a 92-82 win.

Gray goes down

Allisha Gray left in the second quarter with a left hand injury and did not return. It was the key moment of an even first half — 14 lead changes, neither side up more than six — and New York took a 40-37 lead into the locker room, with the Dream shooting just 34 percent.

The third quarter

Atlanta opened the second half on a 13-3 run, with Canada and Angel Reese collecting three steals apiece in the quarter. The Dream won the period 32-15, piling up nine steals and 16 points off turnovers in the frame — tied for the most in any playoff quarter in league history. Seven different Liberty players turned it over in the third, and New York went 4 of 14 from the floor.

For the game, Atlanta scored 32 points off 21 New York turnovers, tying the all-time WNBA playoff record.

Bonner's moment

DeWanna Bonner — 39 years old, playing just her eighth game for Atlanta after signing as a free agent on Aug. 27 — filled Gray's minutes with 23 points, nine rebounds and two steals in more than 30 minutes, guarding multiple positions. Bonner holds the WNBA record for career playoff games.

New York trimmed a 16-point deficit to five late, but Canada buried a shot-clock three and the Dream got a stop-and-score to put it away. Reese was presented her 2026 Defensive Player of the Year trophy before tip.

By the numbers

  • Jordin Canada — 25 pts (12 in the 3rd), 5 stl, 4-of-6 from three
  • DeWanna Bonner — 23 pts, 9 reb, 2 stl off the bench
  • Sabrina Ionescu — 27 pts · Breanna Stewart — 19 pts
  • Points off turnovers: 32 (ties WNBA playoff record)
  • Third quarter: Atlanta 32, New York 15

Up next: Game 2 Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Atlanta. The win is Atlanta's first in a semifinal since 2018 and extends its winning streak to eight.

Published on womenssec.com. Statistics referenced are as of the publication date.